Locomotive drifting mechanism



F. w. ZORCORAN LOCOMOTIVE DHIFTING MECHANISM Jun 1, 1937 Filed Dec. 21, 1935 Patented June 1, 1937 UNITED STATES LOCOMOTIVE nmr'rmc MECHANISM Frank W. Corcoran, Los AngeIesQ CaIifFQf Application December 21, 1935,"Sei'ial No. 55,302

2 Claims." (0]. 121-513? The invention relates to locomotives operated with superheated steam and the object is to provide'means associated with the valves and cylinders 'whereby to prevent carbonization therein when the engine is drifting, i. e., run

the valve chest and cylinder while the engine is drifting.

Although said devices serve their intended purpose (to a certain degree), they fail to function quickly enough to prevent damage tothe valvesand pistons. It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the character stated which will instantly function (upon closing of the throttle) and supply steam in measured quantities in relation to the piston displacement.

I accomplish the above and other objects by means of the apparatus described herein, and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a locomotive showing the improved drifting mechanism applied thereto, parts being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a view taken approximately on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, parts being broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical plan view.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail section taken on line 55 of Fi 2.

Referring more specifically to the drawing I0 designates the locomotive cylinder in which operable a piston |I having a rod I2 that is interconnected to a usual cross head l3 slidable between guides l4. Formed integral with or mounted on the cylinder is a steam chest IS in which is operable a. usual piston valve I6, said chest communicating with the cylinder through ports II.

It will be understood that the valve is actuated to open and close port through any conventional valve gear not shown. Communicating with the steam chest is a; conduit I8 that extends therefrom to a superheater (not shown) located forwardly of the boiler tubes within theusual shell. v

Positioned above the valve chestis a member generally designated at vwhichforms part'of' the apparatus of the present invention. i; e., for admittingsaturated steam into the steam chest and cylinders for the. purpose heretofore setforth.

Slidably mountedrin a bore formed'inthe lowerportion of memberifl. is a sma1l Episton valve 2| that alternately opens and closes ports 22;; communicating with drums or. chambers 23 formed in the upper. :portion .of said member; Arranged midway of the ends of the member (see Fig. 4) is a plate- 24 that separates the chambers. and extending through said plate is a port 25.which inturn communicates with the boiler. indicated at B through a pipe 26 to a point thereon for the delivery ofsatu'ratedsteam between the valveheads as shown in Fig. 1.2:

Formed in bottom wall of the: member 28 and communicating with the bore is aduct 2'l-which in turn communicates with :the main steam chest midway. of its ends through a "suitable fitting indicated at 28. 1;.

Secured to valve 2| and extending therefrom through a stuffing box 29 and guide 30 is a rod 3| which in turn is pivotally connected as indicated at 32 to a link 33. The opposite end of the link engages a stud 34 projecting from a block 35 that slidably engages an arcuate link 36. Projecting from the arcuate link through an opening formed in a bracket 31 is pin 36 which serves as a pivot point for said link.

Connected to stud 34 is a hanger 38 the upper end of which is connected to an arm 39 that is secured to a rock shaft 40.

Secured to the rock shaft and depending therefrom is an arm 4| having a bifurcated end that engages a pin on the outer end of a rod 42. Rod 4| extends through a guide 43 carried by a cylinder 44 in which is operable a piston 45 secured to said rod between the piston and guide 43 is an expansion coil spring 46 that serves to lower the block 35 on the link 36 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Communicating with the cylinder adjacent its rear end wall and leading therefrom to the superheated steam conduit I8 is a pipe 41. Threaded in the rear wall of cylinder 44 is an adjusting screw 48 whereby inward movement of the piston may be varied which in turn through the linkage will influence travel of valve 2|.

In other words it will be seen that by limiting inward movement of the piston the stroke of valve 2| may be varied whereby the volume of steam admitted to cylinder may be regulated according to the speed and displacement of piston. One end of a link 49 is connected to the lower end of the arcuate link 36 while its opposite end is connected to the upper end of a lever 50. Lever 50 is pivotally. mounted as indicated at 5| on a supporting member 52 that is preferably in measured quantities, in relation to the piston displacement, is delivered to the steam chest and cylinder also that no steam will enter thesame, except during reciprocation of valve 2|, thus preventing any starting of the locomotive after closing of the throttle valve.

It will also be apparent that by employment of the apparatus above described saturated steam in sufficient but not in excessive volume is supplied toncylinders .while the engine is drifting.

Beferringto Figs 3, two membersiuoperable bya single cylinder 44 through the ports above mounted on the upper cross head guide, the low-v, described is herein shown, it being understood er end of said arm being connectedto the cross" head I3 through a link 53. f i

From the foregoing, it will beseen that, as. long as the throttle is opened'(or partially sol, steam will be admitted through pipe 41: tofth'e cylinder 44 forcing the piston thereinforwardly against the spring 46 and through the'linkage" above referred to cause the valve 2| to remain stationary asjno movement will then be imparted thereto, altho the link may be swung back and forth during movement'ofthe cross head. Under conditions when the throttle valve.;is.- closed whilethe engine running or drifting steam from the pipe l8 will be out 01f causing the piston 45 to move"-rearwardlythrough reaction of the spring 46.: It will be understood that the. spring is of suflicient tension to cause operation of valve 2| before steam in pipe 41 is depleted or before the throttle is' entirely closed.-

Recoil of the spring under these conditions causes block 35 to be moved downwardly on the arcuate link 36 by arm 39; '41 and the hanger '38 'to a point thereon which willscause valve 2! to be reciprocated during movement of thecross head l3 through the lever 50.

During travel of valve 2l, communication will be first established between ports 22 and 25 causing the chambers 23 to become alternately charged with steam through pipe 26. Steam thus admitted to the chambers is then released, and passes through the duct .21 thence into the steam'chest l...

In other words when one chamber is being filled or charged the other is discharging.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that" steam A that one member with pipes leading therefrom ma'y be employed if desired.

I a m= v In a'superheated steam locomotive includyiing -a steam chestand cylinder a body member having steam receiving chambers therein mounted on" and having ports communicating with the active, and means for actuating said valve from a moving part of thelocomotive operable upon closing the throttle valve.

.2. Ina superheated steamlocomotive including a steam chest and-cylinder, a body member having steam receiving chambers therein mount ed on and having ports communicating with the steam chest and-steam receiving chambers, a

valve operable -in said body member for opening and closing the ports therein for admitting saturated steam into thevalve chest, means for operating said valve when the throttle is closedincluding an arcuate link, a piston, a cylinder and a spring normally holding said valve inactive', and linkage connecting said piston with said valve and to the cross head'of theengine, where by upon .the closing of the throttle steam will be admitted. to 'the .valve chests and cylinders of the locomotive in advance of itsdepletion from the main throttle valve.

'' FRANK wvcoaooRAN. 

